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Contacts

Bird Rock, St Kitts, St Kitts and Nevis, West Indies

info@lakehealthandwellbeing.com

+1 869 765 8702

News

Category: News

Dance-Flyer–V5 (web)
Physical ActivityYou're Sweet Enough
November 1, 2021

Launch of Dance Competition

Today, 1st November 2021, Lake Health and Wellbeing in collaboration with the Curriculum Development Unit of the Ministry of Education in St. Kitts, launched the You’re Sweet Enough Dance Competition.

Beginning today, both high and primary school children in St. Kitts and Nevis, their parents and teachers, as well as school alumni are eligible to enter the dance competition and receive a chance to win prizes including a Chromebook, a tablet, a projector, and a water cooler.

Participants will have to learn the official You’re Sweet Enough dance, record themselves performing the dance to the You’re Sweet Enough jingle and then upload the recording to the competition’s webpage for a public vote. To make their performance stand out, participants can add some variation to the routine and use props that will enhance the message of the jingle.

Participants will have three weeks to submit their recordings with submissions closing on 21st November and the public vote taking place from 22nd to 29th November.

Those interested in taking part in the You’re Sweet Enough Dance Competition can find out more about the rules, access videos of the official dance and jingle, and submit their recordings here.

Sponsors of the competition include Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Taiwan ICDF, Pure Water and Island Purified Water.

“We’re delighted to be working with the Curriculum Development Unit to host the You’re Sweet Enough Dance Competition as this initiative is a win-win: The dance element of the competition promotes exercise and movement, the lyrics of the jingle communicate a positive health message and the competitive aspect is a fun and engaging way for all of us to come together for a good cause whilst giving participants the opportunity to win some great prizes.”
abi
Abi Begho
Founder and Programme Director, Lake Health and Wellbeing
“The Curriculum Development Unit (CDU) is committed to empowering students to lead active and healthy lives. The You’re Sweet Enough campaign has created much needed buzz in our community to inspire and encourage all to drink more water. The campaign’s virtual school dance competition goes the extra mile by providing an excellent opportunity to bring a positive health message packaged in a fun and active way to our students’ homes, schools and communities. The CDU applauds the efforts of Lake Health and Wellbeing. We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this ground-breaking public health awareness campaign.”
Michelle Sutton
Coordinator, Curriculum Development Unit, Ministry of Education
By admin
PanelDiscussionFlyerWeb
Fibroids
September 13, 2021

A Global Discussion on Fibroids

On 21st August 2021, the Global Fibroids Alliance hosted a virtual global panel discussion featuring speakers from Canada, Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Ghana, France, the UK and the US. 

Panelists explored the challenges faced by women living with fibroids, how their organisations are trying to address these challenges and what is needed on a global level to improve the situation for women living with fibroids.

Panelists included:

  • Joanne Ukposidolo, Co-Founder and Co-Owner, WombCare Clinic (Canada)
  • Korice AQ Nancis, Founder, Fibroid Awareness Trinidad and Tobago
  • Shelly-Ann Weeks, Executive Director, HerFlow Foundation (Jamaica)
  • Jenny Rosenberg, Executive Director, CARE About Fibroids (USA)
  • Imani Sorhaindo, Founder, KMT Rising (UK)
  • Elizabeth Korasare, Co-Founder, Fibroid Foundation Africa
  • Valerie McKen, Founder, Womb-man Wise™ Health (UK)
  • Angèle Mbarga, Founder, Fibrome Info France (France)
  • Dr Stacey Bryan, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Registrar and Vice-Chair of the British Caribbean Doctors and Dentists Association (UK)

If you missed this event, you can watch the recording below.

By admin
Op Ed WINN FM
Non-communicable diseasesYou're Sweet Enough
September 8, 2021

Op-Ed Featured on WINN

We were absolutely delighted that WINN Media featured our recent op-ed calling for Government action on non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

You can read this feature here

By admin
GroupShot
DietSugarYou're Sweet Enough
August 25, 2021

No SSB Drink Water Challenge launches

Thirty-eight individuals signed up to take the You’re Sweet Enough: No SSB Drink Water Challenge as part of the SKN Moves 7-week health campaign. 

The No SSB Drink Water Challenge encourages persons to make healthier choices by eliminating the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and to drink water instead. Participants will track their water consumption daily using a water tracking app and submit photo or video testimonials about their experience. At the end of two weeks, those who consumed the most water will be awarded prizes.

 A few challenge participants met for the first time at an orientation session where each person shared their motivations for signing up to drink only water for two weeks from August 22nd to September 5th.  “Sugar is a drug that is bad for us, yet it is everywhere” said one participant who recognizes the negative health effects of consuming SSBs. Another participant expressed that the challenge is a natural progression of the healthy lifestyle changes that she’s trying to make. Multiple participants shared the fact that they have a family history of diabetes and other NCDs and so they were taking the No SSB challenge to improve their health chances and to set a better example in their homes and communities. 

The You’re Sweet Enough: No SSB Drink Water Challenge is coordinated by Lake Health and Wellbeing during week 4 of the Ministry of Health’s SKN Moves 7-week health campaign. SKN Moves is an initiative designed under the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Programme to create a healthy lifestyle culture centered on healthy eating practices, regular physical activity and regular health checks/screenings. You’re Sweet Enough is a health education campaign led by Lake Health and Wellbeing to inform and educate the public about the links between consuming SSBs and the development of obesity, diabetes and other NCDs.

You can find out more about our You’re Sweet Enough campaign on our campaign website. 

 

 

By admin
Loop Caribbean Article
Fibroids
August 13, 2021

We Were Featured on Loop Caribbean

We were absolutely delighted to have been featured on Loop Caribbean for our efforts to raise awareness of fibroids in St Kitts and Nevis.

The article highlights our fibroids educational event in March 2019, our recent fibroids webinar series and our recent qualitative research project. 

You can read the article on Loop Caribbean here.

By admin
Day2Lunch.png
Diet
June 22, 2021

Food and Nutrition Security in the Caribbean

In an article written by the Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, Timothy Antoine, he explains how the COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating food and nutrition insecurity across the Caribbean region. Food and nutrition security is not only about the sustainability of food supply systems, but it is also about food accessibility, price, safety and nutritional value. The article highlights the fact that the pandemic has further weakened vulnerable food systems in the region due to high levels of dependence on imported products from international food supply chains. 

Antoine notes how the health impacts of the pandemic are particularly alarming since income losses are limiting households’ ability to purchase nutritious foods, which are vital for building healthy immune response to illnesses during the pandemic. Considering these economic challenges, the purchase and consumption of cheaper, ultra-processed foods that are high in sodium, sugar and fats has increased. Prior to the pandemic, the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the region was already attributed to poor nutrition and unhealthy consumption choices, and within the current economic context, these unhealthy food alternatives are most accessible and affordable, especially for low-income households.

 

The article concludes with a call to action for Caribbean governments to reduce the regional food import bill and invest in cultivating an indigenous food supply ecosystem that enables trade of local produce by:

  • enhancing regional transportation systems to facilitate more strategic cross-border shipping and trade of fresh produce
  • utilizing digital technologies to improve the quality, reliability, and resilience of healthy and locally grown food, and
  • adopting fiscal policies that tax ultra-processed foods and incentivise local production and purchase

Acknowledging the public health challenges that the region faces with NCDs and the ways the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the vulnerability of our food and nutrition systems, Governor Antoine encourages the adoption of an all of society approach to improving the health and sustainability of our people. Governments, private sector, civil society and individuals each have an important role to play in enhancing food and nutrition security as a primary approach to combatting the threat of non-communicable diseases and implementing meaningful long-term solutions for socio-economic transformation and sustainability.

To read the original article click here.

By admin
Front of Pack
Front-of-Pack Labelling News
May 27, 2021

Advocacy for front-of-pack labelling

CARICOM member states have been discussing and voting on the adoption of a regional food labelling standard, which would require an octagonal front of package warning label (FOPWL) to be placed on food products  “High in” sugars, sodium and fats, according to thresholds outlined by the PAHO Nutrient Profile Model. These nutrients are of great public health concern as excess consumption is linked to obesity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs); which are a significant burden to the people and economy of the Caribbean. Voting on the standard by CARICOM member states ends on May 31, 2021.

FOPWL is one of a combination of key policies, which have been identified by PAHO/WHO as ‘Best Buys’ to tackle overweight, obesity and diet-related NCDs. Specifically, the octagonal FOPWL scheme allows consumers to quickly, easily and correctly identify packaged foods which are high in critical nutrients of concern.  Evidence, including a study conducted by the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Jamaica, the University of Technology, Jamaica and PAHO, has shown that octagonal warning labels performed better than all other front of pack labelling schemes in improving the capacity of consumers to make healthier food decisions in Jamaica. To learn more about regional advocacy for FOPWL, visit the Healthy Caribbean Coalition and show your support by signing a petition here.

During our last Health & Herbal Tea feature on WinnFm,  our Advocacy Officer, Isalean Phillip,  had an informative conversation with public engagement on the topic of FOPWL. Check out the radio show feature below and remember to join us live every first Wednesday for Health & Herbal Tea.

 

By admin
coronavirus
COVID-19
May 7, 2021

We Recieve A Grant from the Commonwealth Foundation

We are delighted to have received a grant from the Commonwealth Foundation to explore the impact of the pandemic on people living with NCDs.

By admin
YouAreSweetEnoughImage
SugarYou're Sweet Enough
March 22, 2021

You’re Sweet Enough Campaign

This World Water Day, Lake Health and Wellbeing, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health in St Kitts, has launched a health education campaign encouraging the public to drink more water and reduce their consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs).

This 9-month campaign, titled You’re Sweet Enough, is intended to raise awareness of the harmful health effects of consuming sugar-sweetened beverages like sodas, fruit drinks, energy drinks and sports drinks, and to encourage everyone to drink water as the healthy alternative.

Due to the very high level of sugar in SSBs, their regular consumption has been linked to weight gain and obesity, and being overweight or obese increases a person’s risk of developing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some types of cancer.

Research has shown that 45% of adults and 26% of children in St Kitts and Nevis are obese, and that this is contributing to the high rate of NCDs in the Federation. Sadly, data shows that NCDs contribute to 83% of deaths in St Kitts and Nevis.

By reducing SSB consumption, we can reduce a major source of sugar in diets and this can lead to a reduction in NCD risk and related death and disability.

The campaign will use social media, billboards, music, videos, animation, a campaign website and info-session events to provide information across St Kitts and Nevis. Through these platforms, Lake Health and Wellbeing will be urging people to think before they drink, consider the amount of sugar in beverages and opt for water instead.

Abi Begho, Director at Lake Health and Wellbeing, stated, “Generally speaking, when we think about a healthy diet, there is a focus on healthy eating, which is of course essential, but it is also important to drink healthily too. Reducing our consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is one way to combat the high rates of obesity in St Kitts and Nevis, which is a leading risk factor for developing NCDs.”

Whilst Dr Marissa Carty, the NCD Coordinator at the Ministry of Health, added:

“The scientific, medical, and public health communities all agree that the negative effects of sugar-sweetened beverages on weight gain, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers are of great concern. The Ministry of Health recognizes this concern and is in the process of developing a sugar-sweetened beverage policy that will include interventions to reduce the consumption of SSBs in the Federation. Meanwhile, we are encouraging the general public to ‘Rethink Your Drink’ by paying close attention to the sugar content in the drinks you consume by actively reading the nutrition labels and drinking more water.”

You can view and share some of our campaign material below.

Campaign Jingle

The Dangers of Sweet Beverages

Take Care of This Temple

By admin
island-tea-small
NewsYou're Sweet Enough
March 17, 2021

Island Tea Interview on WINNFM

On 17th March 2021, our Advocacy and Research Officer, Isalean Phillip, was interviewed on WINNFM’s morning show, Island Tea.

During her interview, Isalean discussed the work of our NGO, the public health challenges that we face in St Kitts and Nevis and she introduced the public to our upcoming sugar-sweetened beverage campaign which launches on 22nd March 2021. She also announced that our new regular slot on Island Tea, Health and Herbal Tea, will start in April and provide a platform for us to discuss issues related to NCDs, obesity and sugar-sweetened beverages.

If you missed her interview, you can view the recording below and if you have any questions, please leave a comment in the comments section below.

By admin